Chicago Fire: Burning Bright

Wildfires

Chapter 26: This Fire

"Wait, so you set a date?" Erin asked as they huffed their way through a session at the gym.

"More like Clarke set the date," Cally replied, increasing the tension on her elliptical, regretting that ruben with a side of fries already since she apparently was going to need to find a wedding dress like yesterday. A spark of an idea shot through her. "So your friend, Valentina, don't suppose she can whip me up something ivory and under five figures in less than ten weeks, huh?"

"She could probably clothe a country in ten weeks, don't know about the price tag though, can't say I've actually paid," Erin said with a dimpled grin.

Cailin glowered slightly, "I am glad we are friends, because otherwise I might hate you a little right now."

"I'm sure I can get you a friends and family discount, seeing as it is your wedding dress and all." Erin paused for a moment. "Holy shit, Callahan, you are getting married!"

Her excitement was almost infectious, except it made Cally slightly uncomfortable. She fiddled with the buttons on her elliptical, "I mean, yeah, but it's no big deal, we've both been-"

"Stop, don't say it, Cal," Erin shot back, rolling her eyes.

Cailin caught the look in her friend's eyes, knowing better than to push it. She decided instead to change the subject. "So, is Voight seeing someone?"

Erin almost slipped off her treadmill. "Why do you ask?" she covered.

She shrugged, "I don't know, he's just seemed different lately, almost nice."

"Okay, I'll give you that," Erin said, an inkling planted in her mind, thinking she needed to have a little catch-up with Hank.

Cailin's phone started to buzz and flash wildly she immediately stabbed at reject. "I am busy, mother," she muttered.

"She a little excited?"

"Children on Christmas morning are less excited. But I worry if I give her an inch, she'll turn into Mama Dawson, and I cannot handle that. Breaking Shay's heart and telling her to slow her roll was enough."

Erin laughed, but it felt hollow. Her relationship with her mother was, well practically nonexistent, had been for years, and that suited her just fine most of the time. But now, with everyone coupling up, including her and Kelly, she was starting to wonder about the future, and that also meant taking a long, hard look at the past.

Cally saw the gloom pass over Erin's eyes and immediately wanted to kick herself. She felt like a brat, complaining about her mother when she knew Erin's background. She punched the stop button. "Okay, I'm a bitch. How about we ditch the workout and go drink wine instead? Valentina can always make me something stretchy, right?"

Erin feigned debating before stopping her own machine. "Yes, on the last two accounts, not on the first, except when needed."

"Hermann, what is so important that I needed to leave a meeting with a CI to come to Molly's and-oh God," Cally cut off, skidding to a stop as soon as she entered the bar. "Uh, hi Ma, what are you doing up here? In the city. At Molly's. On a weekday afternoon?" she asked, looking at Hermann with panic. The man just shrugged, turning to take stock of the beer fridge.

"Oh hello dear. I couldn't get in touch with you and that sweet girl who answers the phones at your work mentioned that all of you and your work friends come here a lot since some firefighters own it and I was up in the city for an appointment so I thought I would just pop on in. Christopher was just telling me all about his children and his lovely wife. Care to tell me why I had to find out you set a wedding date from the Archbishop's secretary after your brother had an appointment with him?"